Sitting on the highway at 110km/h, trying in vain to find the cruise control button (there isn’t one), it becomes evident that this city car is neither a speed machine or a device of unrelenting beauty. But it is cheap.

Priced from $14,490 plus on-road costs, the Mirage brings a new price point for a mainstream sedan in Australia. It enjoys a healthy buying advantage over its closest rivals, the $15,990 Honda City and $16,990 Nissan Almera.

If you can overlook the absence of basic standard amenities such as cruise control, front and rear parking sensors ($300 option) and a reversing camera, the Mirage sedan makes for a solid no frills value equation – though it’s not as competitive as the $12,990 Mirage hatch.

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Under the bonnet resides a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, mated either to a five-speed speed manual or optional CVT automatic ($2000). Both pairings will return a claimed fuel consumption reading of 4.9L/100km, Mitsubishi says.

Away from the Hume Highway and back in suburbia - the Mirage’s more familiar surroundings - the three-pot engine and matching CVT fitted to our test car were undoubtedly the star of the show.

The 57kW/100Nm engine isn’t likely to win the traffic lights grand prix, however it does offer good flexibility from down low in the rev count. In light climbing situations, it motors along acceptably, although its maximum load of five adults might be a tough ask.

With or without passengers, expect to count well into double digits before reaching highway speeds; peak power is met at 6000rpm and maximum torque is rated at 4000rpm.

The accompanying three-cylinder thrum is charming and full of character.

The CVT accentuates the engine’s natural willingness, helping to pedal the Mirage’s 940kg heft along at a respectable pace. We weren’t able to sample the manual version, but can safely say the auto is refined and efficient.

In daily driving, you’re likely to go close to the 4.9L/100km claim; we saw about 6.0L/100km in a mix of driving.

Average dynamics are par for the course in the city sedan segment, due mostly to the common large body, small engine teaming.

In that regard, the Mirage is a pleasant proposition in daily driving, with light steering, adequate bump absorption over minor inconsistencies and a commendably small turning circle of 9.6 metres.

Skinny tyres and rear drum brakes are de rigueur with the Mirage, but both work well in ordinary driving.

On the highway, the sedan impresses with good noise insulation on smooth sections of bitumen. During our time at the wheel, seasonal winter gusts posed a minor problem at higher speeds, buffeting the car and making it feel more unsettled than larger bodied vehicles.

While quaint, the ride and handling – unsurprisingly - isn’t going to appease a driver’s driver. Larger surface imperfections can often send a sharp jolt through the cabin and any semblance of the enthusiasm through corners is met with noticeable body roll and floatiness. Mid corner bumps? You’re going to feel most of them pulse through the steering wheel.

But to judge the Mirage on those merits would be unfair, because there is a lot to like.

At the top of that list is the sprawling interior space and accompanying 450-litre boot (just shy of the VF Commodore).

The Mirage sedan is 535mm longer, 5mm wider and 15mm taller than the hatch. Those bigger dimensions have helped create an additional 100mm between the front and rear wheels (to 2550mm).

The Thailand-built Mirage’s interior is packaged together well and with functionality in mind.

Flat seats with little support and hard cheap plastics are basic compromises for what is otherwise a big and accommodating layout. The matching boot is deep and wide, however with no boot release button or latch, you’ll have to use the key or lever in the cabin to access it.

Headroom is generous in any of the five seats, while the extra wheelbase length has made sitting in the back seat a relative cinch.

From behind the wheel, the Mirage has excellent forward and side visibility due to the low-set belt line and location of A-pillars. Six airbags, stability and traction control help ensure a five-star safety rating.

These factors, coupled with the security of a five-year, 100,000km warranty and capped price servicing of $870 over the first three years of ownership, give prospective buyers plenty of reasons on paper to consider the quaint Mitsubishi.

6 comments so far

re "neither a speed machine or a device of unrelenting beauty" How can Mitsubishi design a car so ugly when its design studios can turn out some very nice looking cars?This one was not just hit with the ugly stick, it was beaten with it.

What is it about reversing cameras that seem to get motoring writers so up in arms. An after market one can be installed for a few hundred dollars.

Commenter

geoff

Location

melbourne

Date and time

July 11, 2014, 4:30PM

Why do you (and your colleagues in a similar vein) make comments such as "...neither a speed machine......isn’t likely to win the traffic lights grand prix......appease a driver’s driver.....?"The underlying mentality behind those comments is so far out of touch with the context of driving on public roads! These sort of comments contribute to the nurturing of many discourteous (and ultimately dangerous) driving habits of drivers who believe these aspects to be relevant to their right to drive a personal motor vehicles on public roads.

Commenter

Gags

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

July 12, 2014, 8:38AM

Driving habits such as assuming you are immune due to driving 5 km/h under a posted speed limit? Or sitting in the right hand lane forcing undertaking? Your comment contributes to the negligent driving habits on our roads due to it's ignorant assumption that speed is a major factor in vehicle accidents.